General Funds

The College of Education and Human Services has one general fund and three scholarship funds that can be used throughout the College. You can give as much or as little as you would like to these funds, and you can give online or by mail.

Use the Give Now link at left or click on the name of the fund itself to go to a safe online giving page.

College of Education and Human Services Fund

This fund provides money for special opportunities or extraordinary needs.

Faculty and students can travel to a conference to present their research.

Faculty can take part in a special opportunity to update their skills. Professors need to be aware of the latest developments in their field, so that they can pass this knowledge on to their students.

The department can purchase special equipment, test materials, resources, or training modules to help our students attain success and achieve their goals.

These activities and others like them enrich our students immeasurably, enhancing the education they receive at UIS—but we could not do any of them without the discretionary money given to this fund.

Scholarship Funds

Students throughout the College can receive scholarships from these funds. When you give to these funds, you are investing in the future of a worthy student:

College of Education and Human Services Scholarship Fund

This fund provides scholarships to students in the College of Education and Human Services.

Pete Corso Scholarship Fund

Given to a student in the College of Education and Human Services or the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with preference given to a student from Christian County, Illinois. For many years, Pete Corso worked at the Christian County Mental Health Association, where he became known for his empathy as he worked with both clients and staff. Through this scholarship, raised in his honor by his friends and colleagues, his influence will continue. Please add your gifts to this scholarship.

The William Ferris Cummings Memorial Scholarship

William Ferris Cummings graduated from UIS (then Sangamon State University) in 1973 and worked as an inspector with Illinois Central Gulf Railroad. Mr. Cummings was well-known for his community involvement, and especially for his work with Community Action, Inc. Tragically, however, an untimely death claimed his life at the age of thirty. The William Ferris Cummings Memorial Scholarship was established in 1980 by family and friends to honor his memory and is awarded to a minority freshman student pursuing a degree in social services or political science.

The Donna Libri Social Services Award

A beautiful and vibrant woman, Donna Libri died of cancer in 1992 at age 37, leaving behind her husband and two young daughters. Before succumbing to the illness, however, Ms. Libri had founded the Brighter Tomorrows cancer support group and was coordinator of the Reach to Recovery Program for the American Cancer Society. The Donna Libri Social Services Award was established by her husband, Tony, in honor of her life and work. Applicants for this scholarship must have documented financial need, be in good academic standing and planning a career in a social service field. Preference is given to students with both a history and current involvement in volunteerism and community service.

Horace Mann Companies Endowed Scholarship Fund

For undergraduate students with financial need in the College of Education and Human Services (Education focus). This is an Access Illinois Scholarship Initiative matched fund; scholarships generated by the fund will be matched for ten years.

The William and Mary Schnirring Scholarship Fund

Generous, involved, and tremendously supportive of UIS–these words only begin to describe what wonderful donors William and Mary Schnirring have been to UIS. Mr. Schnirring is chairman of the board of Springfield Electric Supply Company, a family-owned business in Springfield. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schnirring donate their time, energies, and resources to many local charities and nonprofit organizations. Through their donations, they have funded four scholarships, two for students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, one in the College of Education and Human Services, and one in the College of Business and Management. (They also donated the lights that shine so brilliantly on the flagpoles at the front of the UIS campus.)